More than 600 Moroccans converged in Taroudant May 8, 2009 for humanitarian assistance being offered by U.S. and Moroccan service members participating in Exercise AFRICAN LION 2009.

Thirty eight U.S. and 46 Moroccan military personnel and nine civilian medical professionals provided medical, dental, and veterinarian care to all who showed up.

The majority of U.S. service members were from the Utah National Guard, state partner to Morocco under the National Guard State Partnership Program. Care was also provided by 4th Dental Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group.

This humanitarian assistance initiative is just one of five being conducted in different communities throughout Morocco and runs concurrent with the bilateral military training, AFRICAN LION. This annually-scheduled, combined U.S.-Moroccan exercise is designed to improve interoperability and mutual understanding of each nation's tactics, techniques, and procedures.

The medical and dental care was conducted at the Omar El Khayam primary school in classrooms that were converted to patient rooms and hallways into waiting rooms. The school entrance was filled with people waiting to receive medical or dental services.

"We have specialists from several fields here including gynecology, cardiology, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics and ophthalmology," said Army Colonel Peter P. Taillac, physician, Utah Medical Command, Utah Army National Guard. "So we're seeing a broad spectrum of cases."

Hundreds of Moroccans, mostly women and children, waited in long lines for a chance to see a doctor or dentist. Once they reached the front desk, they were triaged to the appropriate specialty.

Many of the patients in line lack access to regular medical care. Some have chronic medical problems, yet have never been treated before or have received intermittent treatment in the past and now their ailment has become advanced, according to Taillac.

Along with U.S. and Moroccan service members, some local community physicians were part of the staff providing medical care. These physicians plan to follow up with those who may need follow-on treatment.

"We have a chance to see them and provide some medical advice and initial medical treatment that will be followed up by community physicians," said Taillac.

In the school library, U.S. and Moroccan military dentists established a dental exam room and provided tooth extractions and restorative care.

"So far, we've seen mostly children and adults with moderate to severe cavities," said Army Major David J. Coates, a dentist with Utah Army National Guard. "Not much different than any population in the world who doesn't have access to dental care."

According to Coates, his staff is matched one for one by the Moroccan staff. This allows for bi-lateral training and increases interoperability.

Additionally, for the first time in AFRICAN LION, the U.S. and Moroccan service members incorporated veterinarian services. More than 400 sheep, goats and horses were treated with medication at a location about just outside of the school.

"The animals are getting de-worm medication, vitamins, and anti-bacteria medication," said Army Staff Sergeant Kyle D. Gaerte, Utah National Guard. The treatment helps prevent internal and bacterial parasites, and the flu, a respiratory virus.

The U.S. and Moroccan militaries decided to include the veterinarian care because they knew that for a lot of Moroccans, their animals are their livelihood. Helping their animals helps Moroccans achieve a better quality of life.

"The animals, in a lot of cases, are their main source of income," said Gaerte. "If they don't keep them healthy, there's no way they can make a living for their families."

AFRICAN LION, scheduled to run until June 4, includes various types of military training including command post, live-fire training, peacekeeping operations, and low level flight training, in addition to medical, dental and veterinarian assistance projects to run concurrent with the training.

"I really enjoy the opportunity to meet the Moroccan people up close like this," said Taillac. "It's our mission in Utah to interface regularly with Moroccan people, being our partner-in-peace country. It's a country that we anticipate building a long term relationship with over the years, and we will continue coming back (for AFRICAN LION)."